"Chasing Dreams" - A Kerbalized KSRSS Shuttle Program

[TruthfulGnome]

Hi everyone, updating y'all on this as Talv cannot, CD won't return for a week as he had a foot injury. 

Oh hello page 4!

Edited May 24, 2022 by TruthfulGnome

[Talverd]

Okay I am back, had to get surgery to fix my broken ankle as I took a tumble down my stairs. I will try to get STS-61B out tomorrow, thanks for your patience. 

[Talverd]

 STS - 61-B, June 10th - June 17th, 1984
Expanding The Array

 

GRCA - 2:

As the shuttle program pushes forward, its needs expand. Flying a profile that will become more common in the coming years, STS-61-B will deliver another portion of the Geostationary Relay & Communications Array into orbit. This array is meant to provide constant non-interruptible communications to all future crewed flights. It's existence is instrumental to virtually all of NASDAs long term goals, such as returning to the Moon and  traveling beyond. intrepid will carry another satellite alongside GRCA-2, the Shuttle X-ray Astronomy Satellite. It was constructed by the SXO company as part of NASDA's PHOENIX program. Future missions will carry similar satellites, though they will be flown in various different configurations.  

In other news, a final decision was made on the upcoming CEV of Skylab. The Space Exploration Advisory Council overruled President Dortmund, pushing for the block order of several Unity spacecrafts from the USFR. Like stated before, there are hopes this decision will help de-escalate current international tensions and open up more opportunities for joint cooperation between the two superpowers. Extensive modifications will have to be made to allow the vehicle to properly fit inside the orbiters payload bay but these changes are already well documented and NASDA is confident  they can have it done by late 1984 to early 1985. 

Crew:

Commander: Deke Kerman

Pilot: Sally Kerman

Mission Specialist: Mike Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Eugene Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Bruce Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Charlie Kerman

 

 

 

 

 

"We have liftoff of Shuttle Intrepid." 

 

 

 

"Lookin' good on the roll, Houston!"

 

STS-61-B also has the honor of having the first live broadcast during launch. This practice was extremely well received by the public and as such this would become a normal occurrence on future shuttle missions. 

 

"Intrepid - Houston, you are negative TAL. Abort mode ATO.

 

"External tank is loose, preparing for OMS-1."

 

OMS-1

 

OMS-2

 

Intrepid is now in orbit.

 

After an orbit, the payload bay is opened.

 

GRCA-2 & SXAS

 

 

 

Several orbits pass due to technical difficulties with the Inertial Upper Stages' tilt-table, though the crew is able to resolve the problem. GRCA-2 is ready for deployment!

 

"Houston, we've cut the uh, satellite lose.. It's drifting away, everything looks good."

 

The crew of Intrepid waves goodbye to the departing satellite.

 

Cutting through the dark.

 

Next up - the deployment of SXAS.

 

SXAS is released, lookin' good!

 

SXAS fully deployed.

 

It's cold up here.

 

GRCA's IUS ignites it's first motor, burning for GEO.

 

 

 

GRCA-2 fully deployed. Systems checks show it is fully functioning. 

 

Now, time for Intrepid to come home. The orbiter was origianlly intended to land at Edwards but the weather forced ground control to go for a Kennedy landing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another one for the books, Intrepid returns once again.

 

[Talverd]

 STS - 61-C, July 4th - July 11th, 1984
Military Business

 

DCSC-II:

In order to further fulfill NASDA's obligations to the Department of War, STS-61-C will launch a pair of classified USAF/DOW communication satellites. The pair are a part of the Defense Communication Satellite Constellation - II, otherwise known as DCSC-II.  This family of commsats seeks to improve Akermian military communication across the globe and are very advanced, lending to their classified nature. As this is a military mission, it again necessitates the presence of two USAF payload specialists. This flight also marks the last space flight of Munbro Kerman, a veteran of the Minerva, Athena and Shuttle programs. His contributions to each program undeniable, the agency wishes him a bright future in retirement. 

The debate about a potential dedicated USAF orbiter has seen increased interest lately, especially around the launch of STS-61-C. Even some in NASDA are supporting the Air Force's bid to acquire a shuttle, viewing it as the preferable option to the USAF using the more civilian orientated orbiters for military purposes. While president Dortmund has stated he has no intention of allowing the USAF to fly an independent shuttle, it may not matter. 1984 is an election year and with election day fast approaching, it's looking to be a blowout for conservative-militarist challenger Wilson Kerman.  Wilson has stated his support for the military calling for more funds to be allocated for the expansion of each branch. While he has not explicitly said anything about the orbiter, it is believed this will be included in the Air Force's budget expansion if he were to win. 

Crew:

Commander: Stevens Kerman

Pilot: Poole Kerman

Mission Specialist: Munbro Kerman

USAF Payload Specialist:  Cooper Kerman

USAF Payload Specialist:  Carter Kerman

Orbiter:  OV-101 "Freedom"

 

 

Freedom - Ready for launch!

 

"Roll program!"

 

 

 

 

 

OMS-1

 

OMS-2

 

Freedom on-orbit. Crew will wait an orbit before opening up the payload bay. 

 

One orbit later, doors are opened.

 

2 orbits pass before the satellite train is deployed.

 

"Freedom, go for tilt-table rotation."  "Roger Houston, go for tilt-table rotation." 

 

"Houston, there's an issue here.. uh.. we've got no movement from the tilt-table, doesn't appear to be responding to inputs."  "...Roger. Give us a moment, we'll get back to you."

 

 

 

"Freedom - Houston, we're getting strange readings from the left actuator motor in the ASE... We can't do anything down here about it but flight says EVA-1 could be moved up to tomorrow for inspection and possible repairs."

"Rog."

 

As time drags on, USAF Payload Spec. Carter & Cooper don their suits and prepare for EVA.

 

 

 

Cooper Kerman expected to emerge shortly.

 

Cooper steps out into the vacuum of space.

 

Cooper makes his way to the faulty ASE. 

 

 

 

Cooper is joined by Carter

 

The pair photographed by MS Munbro

 

The two spend the next several orbits working on fixing the issue.

 

Even working throughout the dark.

 

Carter Kerman taking a short break to inspect the satellites.

 

Cooper heading back to retrieve a tool left in the airlock. The pair were able to find the issue and are working on fixing it. A small hydraulic line had come loose and was leaking. Due to the location of the leak, it is luckily able to be fixed on-orbit.

 

Carter saying hi to Poole.

 

Eventually, after hours of strenuous work the issue is fixed and the IUS is able to be rotated. The pair return inside and the IUS is prepared for departure.

 

"All right, second times a charm.."

 

"Alright Houston, nominal rotation to 51.1 degrees. Lookin' good to cut it loose."

 

 

 

"Good sep."

 

The pair of DCSC-II satellites and their IUS.

 

IUS ignition

 

 

 

DCSC-II Satellite

 

Freedom's mission is now complete. It will spend the next several days in orbit before returning home.

 

 

 

Time to go home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom in the HAC.

 

An overzealous astronaut gives Freedom a low pass as the orbiter touches down.

 

Freedom returns home after successfully deploying its payload, despite the issues faced in space. 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 5, 2022 by Talverd

[Jacktical]

Love the mission! Thought I might add, it would be cool if one of the shuttles had something separating it from the rest like discovery's teardrop

[TruthfulGnome]

3 hours ago, Jacktical said:

Love the mission! Thought I might add, it would be cool if one of the shuttles had something separating it from the rest like discovery's teardrop

Voyager has a tear

[Jacktical]

19 hours ago, TruthfulGnome said:

Voyager has a tear

Oh cool I never noticed  

[pTrevTrevs]

On 6/6/2022 at 3:39 PM, TruthfulGnome said:

Voyager has a tear

Incidentally, does anyone know why Discovery had a teardrop in the first place?

[SpaceFace545]

48 minutes ago, pTrevTrevs said:

Incidentally, does anyone know why Discovery had a teardrop in the first place?

I think it was an issue in translation during the tile ordering process. They should have been white but they got black ones instead. 

[Talverd]

Hey all, bit of an update here. I'm taking a vacation from CD until the 18th, STS-61-D should be up then. In the mean time, have a tidbit of lore about the upcoming Akermian flag change.

 

Wall of text so I'll spoiler it

 

 

Spoiler

National Flag of the United States of Akermia (1984 - 2003)

 

     In 1965, the United States saw the implementation of the Commonwealth system. Another layer of government was added on top of the states, grouping them together through regional and cultural similarities. Though this was intended to lighten the load on the federal government, it most cases it did quite the opposite. Things like elections, economies and state borders were all things that were affected or called into question by the introduction of this new system. Some states even protested the change, refusing to acknowledge the commonwealths as they believed them to infringe upon their status as states. 

       Overall the system was a very mixed bag. It was beneficial to some regions of the U.S., like the mid-Atlantic states but a detriment to others like the southwest. Regardless of its shortcomings, it was propped up by congress and limped along for over 19 years. As the years dragged on, so did opposition to the system. In 1984, it finally came to a head and a nation wide referendum on the continuation of the commonwealths was held alongside the presidential election.  As the votes were tallied, it became clear the experiment would not survive. With over 92 million votes counted, 66.9% of Akermians voted in favor of repealing the Commonwealth Act of 1965. 

       One of the big things to come out of the reorganization of the country was the change in design of Old Glory. The stars were reduced from 28 to 15 as the commonwealths took the place of the states.  With them gone, the flag would need to be changed once again. The flag would not return to its pre-commonwealth 28 star design as several new states joined the union during that 19 year period. Instead it would have 37 stars. 32 stars in the circles representing the contiguous 32 states, 4 in the corners representing the 4 non-contiguous states and a single star in the center for the federal government. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Talverd]

I am back. Mission post will be up tonight.

[UlyssesGMT]

On 7/7/2022 at 3:40 PM, Talverd said:

I am back. Mission post will be up tonight.

hi talv

[Talverd]

Hey all, my KSP is bugging out whenever I try to land the shuttle. If I cant fix it, Im going to upload a half post tonight and the rest tomorrow when I fix the issue.

[Lil_Bread402]

18 hours ago, Talverd said:

Hey all, my KSP is bugging out whenever I try to land the shuttle

What happens when you land it? And are there any specific points where it will bug out?

[Talverd]

 STS - 61-D, August 18th - August 29th, 1984
Power Tower

 

Skylab 11:

Expanding Skylab's power output has always been a priority of NASDA. Ever since it's near-disastrous launch in '73 the station has been operating minus one solar panel, a configuration that has severely hampered any plans for future expansion. The solution for this roadblock is the "Power Tower," a large module chock-full of batteries and topped with two massive solar panels. The added power generation will make it possible for the addition of more scientific modules, meeting NASDA's original goals for Skylab expansion.  In order to actually assemble the tower, MMUs will be used due to the awkward location of its attachment point on top of the SDA. While this has been called risky by some, the Arcarm simply does not have the range to safely extract the tower and berth it.

 

Crew:

Commander: Gus Kerman

Pilot: Trabas Kerman

Mission Specialist: Conrad Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Walter Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Colby Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Layne Kerman

Orbiter:  OV-103 "Intrepid"

 

 

 

 

 

"Liftoff of Space Shuttle Intrepid! Expanding Skylab and our horizons."

 

"Houston - Intrepid, roll program."

 

 

 

 

 

"Intrepid - Houston, nominal SRB separation. You're looking good and are right on the money."  "Roger Houston."

 

 

 

OMS -2  & Skylab rendezvous burn (OMS - 1 not photographed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intrepid returns to Skylab once again

 

Shortly after arrival the EVA team suits up and begins preparations for the EVA. This will be the first 3 Kerbal EVA on the Space Shuttle Program.

 

First up is Walter Kerman who climbs into one of the MMUs with a docking probe.

 

Layne Kerman follows after, hopping into the backup MMU. He quickly detaches from the payload bay and begins his way up to the two ATM panels.

 

 

 

 

 

After some finicking, the two ATM panels are successfully stowed. Layne returns to the payload bay.

 

Meanwhile, Colby is heading to dock with the power tower for extraction.

 

 

 

Successfully extracted. Walter will dock with the other side and the pair will begin moving it up towards the SDA.

 

 

 

Darkness soon falls on them but the pair decide to push on after briefly arguing with mission control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a few orbits, Layne oversees the solar arrays extension. (Unfortunately I don't have an image of successfully berthing the power tower due to computer issues.)

 

 

 

Successful rollout of both solar arrays, Skylab is now ready for expansion!

 

Photo of Mission Specialist Gus Kerman, taken by Colby Kerman.

 

 

 

The crew spend the next several days getting the kinks of the system and cataloging items in the on-going long duration exposure experiment.

 

 

 

A second EVA is planned to leave a micrometeorite detector on top of the ATM. 

 

Walter Kerman to emerge from Skylab's airlock shortly.

 

 

 

 

 

Walter would have to abort this EVA before being able to visually inspect the station for damage due to expected loss of suit pressure below his waist. No further EVAs were to be conducted until a reason could be determined on the ground.

 

Finally, it's time for Interpid and her crew to return to Earth.

 

Undocked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STS-61-D concluded, welcome home Intrepid! 

[Lil_Bread402]

These Really are amazing missions Talv. The looks of your shuttles and their respective payloads and missions truly amaze me and inspire me to make more shuttle stuff. My favorite part of this program is when Talv Kerman said "It's Talvin time" mid launch. All jokes aside good job Talv

[ninthninja05]

On 4/1/2022 at 8:55 PM, Talverd said:

STS - 8, December 29th - January 4th, 1981 - 82
International Cooperation

Intrepid's debut: 

The rollout of the space shuttle is beginning to become a common sight at Cape Kennedy, with most getting used to the spectacle. However, todays rollout is different from the norm. Instead of Pathfinder returning to the pad once again for another flight, OV-103 "Intrepid" sits in its place. Named after a famous Akerimian scientific vessel from the early 1800's, it is the second space-worthy orbiter to join NASDA's shuttle fleet. Its first voyage into space is certainly one of significance, as it will carry the first non-Akerimian payload to be launched on the shuttle. The payload in question is a pair of geostationary communications satellites named Huwako 1 & 2 from the Kalionian Republic. STS-8 will also be the first mission to conduct an EVA from the orbiter itself and the first to carry the Arcadian developed robotic manipulator system.  The external tanks weight has also been significantly reduced through various means, allowing the orbiter to carry heavier payloads in the future. 

Crew:

Commander: Layne Kerman

Pilot: Raywise Kerman

Mission Specialist: Bob Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Jack Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Valentina Kerman

 

Left to right: Layne Kerman, Raywise Kerman, Bob Kerman, Jack Kerman, Valentina Kerman.

 

"Liftoff of Shuttle Intrepid and it's mission to strengthen our relations on Earth and in space!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMS - 2. (OMS - 1 not photographed.)

 

"Intrepid"

 

 

 

 

 

Huwako 1.

 

Huwako 1 spin-up and deployment.

 

Huwako 2.

 

Huwako 2 deployment.

 

Huwako 1/2.

 

 

 

Following the deployment of both satellites, Bob Kerman and Jack Kerman begin preparations to exit the orbiter and begin their 2 hour EVA.

 

Bob emerges from the shuttle's airlock.

 

Bob & Jack working in the payload bay, one hour into their EVA.

 

 

 

 

 

Bob trailing behind Jack on their way back to the airlock.

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for de-orbit burn & re-entry. 

 

Retro burn.

 

 

 

 

 

Re-entry. Due to game issues, there is a massive skip between screenshots as runway approach was not photographed.

 

Touchdown. 

 

Intrepid's maiden voyage is concluded, welcome to the fleet! 

 

Post-Mission Briefing:

Before anyone mentions it, I am aware that the shuttle in real life was not capable of flying over a new years due to computer issues. Just imagine that this issue doesn't exist in this. Also, please excuse any spelling mistakes as I am writing this while I am very tired. 

 

Holy crap! I had no idea the shuttle computers couldn't handle a flight on new years. I think this pretty much sums up the real world shuttle program.

[space_powder]

This may not be the right place to ask, but this whole mission report has really inspired me to start using SOCK again, with all the work put into it. How do you manage, or rather, do you have any issues with booster separation? I remember the Photon Corp nose cones (not sure about the aft separation motors) having trouble with that, and I'm just wondering if you opted to use clipped in separatrons in their place?

Again, wonderful thread, beautiful images. Everything from the custom mission patches, orbiter textures, to the kit-bashing for maximum detail is just great. I hope to see a lot more pages in here!

[Talverd]

 STS - 61-E, September 20th - September 30th, 1984
For Sale

Recovery:

STS-61-E is the Space Shuttle program's most ambitious mission yet, setting out to deploy two commsats and then moving onto recover two more for return to Earth.  Voyager will deliver WCom 15 and Huwako 9 (KSA) to orbit. After this mission goal is met, Voyager will then rendezvous with Huwako 5 for recovery and then move onto AZIC-9. These two satellites will be refurbished and reflown on later missions, though they will not be launched aboard the space shuttle.  The MMU will see extensive use on this flight, being instrumental to assisting the recovery of the two satellites.

 

Crew:

Commander: Neil Kerman

Pilot: Deke Kerman

Mission Specialist: Huey Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Mike Kerman

Mission Specialist:  John Kerman

Orbiter:  OV-104 "Voyager"

 

 

 

 

"..All systems look green. Coming up on GOX arm retract here shortly, t-minus 3 minutes and 58 seconds..."

 

"GOX arm now moving back.."

 

"T-minus 15, 14, 13, 12, 10...Excess hydrogen burn off systems online.."

 

"T-minus 8, 7, go for main engine start.."

 

"We have main engine start.."

 

 

 

"Liftoff! Liftoff of the 26th space shuttle mission."

 

 

 

"Coming up on SRB separation." 

After recovery, excessive burn through on the O-Rings of the SRBs was noted. This event nearly lead to the total loss of vehicle and crew.

 

 

 

 

OMS-1

 

OMS-2

 

 

 

"Voyagers payload bay doors now open, proceeding with primary mission objectives."

 

First objective is the deployment of Huwako 8, a commsat for the KSA built by Western Communications. 

 

 

 

"Spin-up started, deployment proceeding nominally, Houston..."

 

"We've got nominal deployment."

 

Huwako 8 burning it's apogee kick motor.

 

 

 

"Everything with Huwako 8 went smoothly. WCom 12 deployment is still on-schedule for deployment in the coming days."

 

 

 

"Alright Houston, we're still go for deployment of WCom. How are things looking down there?"

"We read you Neil and we don't have any issues on our side. Go for deployment of WCom."

"Rog."

 

 

 

"Make sure you get it on the IMAX, Huey!" 

"I got it."

 

WCom 12 deployment.

 

WCom at GEO.

 

"Voyager - Houston, we're good to move onto recovering AZIC and Huwako. Plugging in the burn now."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Houston, we have visual of Huwako. She looks good."

 

"Huey and Deke in the airlock now, should be stepping out any second now."

 

Deke making his way to the MMU with the TPAD attachment. Huey will standby waiting in the secondary MMU for potential rescue operations.

 

 

 

"Alright, I'm moving outside the bay. I have a good vis. on Huwako. Making my way out there now."

 

"Uh Houston.."

"Go ahead."

"I'm seeing a problem here..."

 

"And that would be, Deke?"
"Huwako is spinning, faster than expected."

"...."

"Is it manageable?"

"I think I can get it. I'll try to match it's spin."

 

 

 

"Alright, here we go.."

 

"Houston, we have a satellite!"

"Good going, Deke! We'll see you back here soon!"

"Good show."

 

 

 

Huey now moves to assist Deke, installing a grapple fixture to the front of Huwako.

 

 

 

 

 

There was an issue with the grapples in the orbiters payload bay. I had to relaunch so thats why the pallets look a bit different.

 

AZIC-9 rendezvous burn.

 

 

 

 

 

Similar setup to before instead Huey will be the one recovering the satellite instead of Deke.

 

Huey leaving the orbiter's bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Alright Huey, let's wrap this up and get on inside. I'm getting hungry."

 

Recovered satellites photographed by Mission Specialist John

 

Time to return to Earth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome back, Voyager, Huwako and AZIC!

Edited August 14, 2022 by Talverd

[DG1]

splendid mission

[Lil_Bread402]

Absolutely Amazing Talv! You're only getting better and better with this series

[Antiperson]

Deke with the expert Interstellar docking moment! God I love chasing dreams, every pic is incredible

[Talverd]

 

 

STS - 61-G, December 1st - December 8th, 1984
Walking It Back

The Shifting Political Landscape :

In a surprise to virtually no one,  Wilson Kerman won in a complete landslide against incumbent Dortmund Kerman. The rabble-rousing Unionist from Alta Kalionia was projected to win by virtually every pundit since the race had begun due to his willingness to act tough on communism and take a hard stance against the Union of Socialist Federative Republics.  In his victory speech, the president-elect made several comments directly relating to NASDA, touting the agency as the greatest spaceflight administration to exist on Earth. However,  some parts of his speech made NASDA managers worried. "..Akermia's military strength cannot end on the ground, it cannot end on the sea, it cannot end in the air. We have to further extend our reach into space to protect ourselves from the Ruslavians and their evil empire,", the president elect stated. "We must not allow ourselves to fall behind and come the 20th, I will do all I can in my power to make sure we don't." This statement surely wouldn't reflect well on the agency in the eyes of the USFR, especially at a time where trust and mutual understanding was paramount.  Administrator Harding made sure to downplay the comments at the next Skylab - Soyuz (The planned escape vehicle for Skylab) meeting, lest Interkosmos pull out of the deal. 

Moving on from the political climate and back to NASDA operations, STS-61-G is ready for launch. The orbiter "Freedom" is ready to spread her wings once again, carrying a diverse assortment of satellites and experiments.  It is also the first flight to be apart of NASDA's new hitchhiker program. The hitchhiker program was formally known as the Shuttle Academic Experiment Packages or SAEP, a small program dedicated to flying university sponsored experiments on-board the shuttle. However, the criteria was extremely strict and didn't allow for many important universities to get their payloads to fly. After much protest from many academic sectors,  NASDA higherups decided to loosen the requirements and allow hundreds of other colleges to get a chance at getting their projects flown in space. Freedom will also be delivering three international satellites into orbit. MSAT-1 and 2 and VeSat-1 from the United States of Mejeca and the Republic of Vesperia respectively.  The only satellite to come purely from the US onboard is SXO-2, part of NASDA's Phoenix program.

The launch date of this mission marks the last flights of Voyager and Intrepid for around 2 months, since they are being prepared for the up-coming Shuttle-Centaur project and require modification. 

 

Crew:

Commander: Kim Kerman

Pilot: Jimmy Kerman

Mission Specialist: Eugene Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Sally Kerman

Mission Specialist:  Charlie Kerman

Orbiter:  OV-101 "Freedom"

 

Crew of STS-61-G pose with the new Akermian flag design.

 

"..As far as I know we are still GO. Coming up on t-minus 9 minutes."

 

"Crew arm is now retracting. APU's to fire up shortly."

 

"GOX arm is now retracting. Crew reporting everything feels good."

 

"10, 9, 8, 7.."

 

"We have.. we have main engine start...4, 3, 2, 1."

 

"Booster ignition and lift-off the of the shuttle Freedom!"

 

"Tower clear!"

 

"Roll program, Houston!"  "Roger roll, Freedom."

 

 

 

 

"Beautiful separation.."

 

OMS 1 (OMS 2 not photographed)

 

Freedom plunges into the darkness, soon ready to begin operations.

 

Doors opened.

 

"Houston, Freedom."  "Freedom, Houston, go ahead."  "We are happy to say you are GO for deployment after the next 2 revs." "We copy your all. Hoping to get some good photos of the deployment."

 

Another important event on 61-G is the first flight of the new Akermian flag in space. Due to the dissolution of the commonwealths and return to the state system after the 1984 election,  the national flag of Akermia had to be changed. This design was chosen above others and features 37 stars. 32 in the circles for the contiguous 32, 4 for Akermia's non-contiguous state and a single star in the center for the federal government.

 

The first satellite to be deployed will be MSAT-1 for Mejeca. MSAT-1 will act as Mejeca's first independent satellite communication system, breaking away from the North Akermian Satellite Chain.

 

After two orbits, the sunshade is opened and MSAT-1 exposed. 

 

 

 

"She's away! I got a great photo of it, I think." 

 

"MSAT-1 is away. Everything appears nominal."

 

 

 

Freedom drifts above the Earth, waiting for the next window to deploy MSAT-2.

 

MSAT-2 is identical to MSAT-1 and very similar appearance wise to VeSat-1 as they are all built on Boltan 376 satellite busses.

 

"Freedom, you are go for this next window coming up in about 2 hours." 

 

After a couple hours, MSAT-2 is prepared for deployment.

 

"Setting it free in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.."

 

"Separation of MSAT-2 confirmed." "I think I got it with the IMAX." 

 

In the meantime while the crew waits to deploy VeSat, Mission Specialists Charlie and Eugene operate the S.H.O.O.T experiment by Gagnon University.

 

S.H.O.O.T, or Superfluid Helium On-orbit Transfer is a demonstration of the technology required to store and transfer liquid helium in space. Of all the hitchhiker containers on Freedom, it is the only one that requires astronaut input. 

 

Freedom is also flying an experiment for the Airforce, though the exact nature of it is not known by the crew. The best description they were given is "exposing certain elements to the vacuum of space."

 

Next to the Radioactive Exposure Facility Experiment is the Altitude Sensor Package by Sandfort University.

 

Behind that is the HUGAS cannisters, sponsored by the Hoover State University. They both contain a multitude of small experiments developed by students are the colleges! 

 

The Radioactive Exposure Facility Experiment is meant to see how some elements respond to radiation exposure in space. 

 

Freedom over the Nihon Islands. Nihon and their NASA are expected to soon approach NASDA for cooperation opportunities. 

 

 

 

Finally, after several hours and orbits it is time to deploy VeSat.

 

VeSat is for Vesperia, a relatively new country on the world stage. It separated from Arcadia in 1963 due to significant cultural differences and their staunch views on language.

 

VeSat-1

 

Soon, she will burn for GEO!

 

 

 

 

 

VeSat arrives at GEO, long after it's deployment.

 

MSAT-1 and 2 also make it to GEO.

 

 

 

The deployment of SXO-2 comes next. It will be grappled by the arm, released and then recovered a few days later.

 

Mission Specialist Sally Kerman takes control of the arm and maneuvers it towards SXO.

 

"Capture!"

 

"Release the clamp, Charlie." "Rog." ... "Charlie, what's up? Something wrong?"  "I'm trying to release it but nothing is happening. See if you can get something from Houston."

 

"Houston, This is Sally here and we're having issues getting SXO off the clamp and out of the bay. Charlie is flipping the release switch but nothing appears to be happening. Circuits show the signal is reaching the clamp but it just isn't releasing it." "..Roger that, Sally..uhh. We'll take a look at it and get back to you with a recovery procedure if possible."  "Son of a b*tch! This thing just won't work!"

 

Two orbits pass and finally, Houston has orders. 

"Freedom, this is Houston, we are no-go for the deployment of SXO. We are going to leave it there and take a look at it back on the ground when you get back. I repeat, no-go for deployment of SXO." "Can't we just EVA and inspect it up here?" "Sorry, that's a negative Kim. This payload is not worth the risk."  "Damn."

 

"Y'know, I was actually looking forward to that."

 

SXO is released and the arm is stowed.

 

The Airforce payload deploys it's materials rack.

 

The next few days are spent quietly drifting above the Earth, performing other various experiments onboard the middeck and monitoring the ones in the payload bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the mission draws to a close, final preparations are made for landing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Touchdown!

 

Wheel stop, welcome home Freedom!

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2022 by Talverd

[raptor-m]

amazing, great work talv as per usual

[AlmondTheAstronaut]

Another job well done Talv!